Charley was my very first dog. I was terrified of dogs...until I got Charley, he was the most loving wee dog, always knew when I was feeling down. We got him when a friend's dog - a Shetland Collie was caught by another dog, no-on knew what breed he was.
When I was ill, he would come and lie by my bedside leaning up to lick my hands. He loved to run and play on the beach and he was the special friend of the neighbouring children. Everyone stopped to talk to him and one of his less endearing habits was to escape when the ice cream van was doing his rounds - they knew him, so he would go up and get his ice cream cone...which I had to pay for later!!
I still miss him.
